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Mentor

"Quality of life"......a gift that just keeps on giving.

Posted by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor @artscaping, Jan 8, 2021

The 2020 Holidays are over. What was your favorite gift? Was one of your gifts what I call a “quality of life” gift? Was it a new special pillow that made you sleep better? Perhaps you were given something that made your life a little easier like new shoes with a softer sole. Or maybe your family gave you a Mayo gift like the Pain course or a Habit workshop?

It’s never too late to think of and thank yourself for your endurance, generosity, and kindness to yourself. And these may be things that you have never mentioned because you didn’t want to be a burden or a nuisance or appear to be selfish.

I went crazy this year and got three of my quality of life gifts. I’ll share them with you and hope you realize how very important they were and are to me.

1. My MFR therapist began to feel that one session a week was not sufficient. So, we set up a six week trial of 2 sessions per week. The difference in tolerance was amazing. I didn’t have to endure increasing discomfort for 7 days….just 3. And so….gift #1. When I let my family know they found a way to help with the additional cost called a “stocking stuffer”.

2. For over a year I have been noticing more and more pain in my hip. Several years ago, I had an injection which was done poorly and so I wasn’t too excited about trying again. This time I had a chat with myself. “Why, Chris, are you going through increasing pain when there is a solution?” So I gathered my strong determination, had the injection, and am just jumping for joy. And my insurance covered it. Great…..another quality of life gift received and appreciated.

3. My 2021 quality of life gift brigade begins tomorrow when I have my preliminary appointment to fix my arthritic thumb. I can no longer open a jar or turn a key in the door lock. Seven years ago I had anchovy surgery on the left thumb. It is perfect. Now, why have I let the other one reach such a painful stage? I really don’t like surgery but this one is relatively doable and I won’t need too much help at home.

So Happy Holidays to me.
And thank you friends and family who shouted encouragement and helped support my wishes for a few things that just needed to get done.

What items would qualify for your quality of life? Let’s all share and help each other develop our 2021 list of can dos and must-dos.

Be happy and content in 2021.
Chris

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @fiesty76 "@lioness, Yes, JoAnn's is a shop I look forward to visiting again too when it becomes..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@lioness, Yes, JoAnn's is a shop I look forward to visiting again too when it becomes safer for me to re-enter shops, etc. Your mention of embroidering a table cloth and placemats reminded me of a simple, early attempt of cross stitching a reg. sized bedspread. Oh my word, it took forever and I never attached it to a backing to complete for use.

I did develop a long interest in crewel embroidery and before changing hobbies again, had begun to create my own designs for occs'l pillows which once completed I used and also made as gifts for friends. While I still have the hoops and various needles, I'd need to buy new threads but another hobby to re-kindle once I tire of making hot pads and slipper socks to share.

Glad to be seeing your posts again! And yes, I've done very well through this long pandemic and so grateful to have had my first Moderna vacc. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 5th. Have you received yours yet?

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@fiesty76 Im receiving it this morning not sure what brand it is . I,ve never done crewel embroidery have to look into that . Right now I,m still painting have done a couple for gifts .But want to change hobbies like you when it is safe to go out I will take a trip to JoAnn,s Glad you doing o.k

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1 reply
woogie | @woogie | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @ess77 "My goodness, gracious sakes alive!!!!!! I'm in awe of each of you! Every one of you..." + (show)
@ess77

My goodness, gracious sakes alive!!!!!! I'm in awe of each of you! Every one of you wonderful women is talented, creative up a gump stump, extremely engaged with family of several generations and all ages, even still involved with community. I'm truly impressed. While I marvel at each of you, I'm feeling more depressed, alone, uninvolved and isolated!!!!! Think it's time to switch to another site!

I used to do needle work, in my much younger days, music...pianist since 7 years old, sang a bit....in church choirs all my life and acapella group, smaller groups in church, etc. Loved watercolors, hoped to pick it back up last couple years, but never could get to it. Hands don't let me do any of it anymore. Health and other issues in life just got in the way......But, you are bringing me joy through your joy! I hope and pray you each keep this so special part of your life active and center stage. Don't ever let go of these creative juices, keep them flowing until your last breath.

And, Chris, you tell that husband of yours his paintings brought joy and happiness to my life. I love those paintings showing us a special part of his private self. His use of color, interesting shapes and composition. I'm honored to 'know' even this tiny bit of his gift.

I'm off to bed now. It's much, much too late for me, but I got so caught up in your exchanges, I was stuck with you in your fabrics, recipes and the cooking process!

Resting tomorrow. Must work with HP and cell phone experts to figure out why I don't get most of my emails anymore. Not getting anything from Mayo, not even notifications of patient online portal messages. Don't get Connect notification, either.... Hate to mention things I have to address that have no smidgen of creativity in them, but my electronic life must go forward!

Keep up the creativity, ladies! Enjoy!
Blessings to you all.
elizabeth

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I cannot sew, embroider, knit or paint. One thing which drives me crazy is: "I can't carry a tune in a bucket"! I got kicked out of the church choir when I was around six. I really wanted to wear that robe and join the singing. I did. Then, I was asked to hang up my robe. In school, when we were supposed to sing the notes, the teacher cringed. He didn't want to even hear it! I scared my nephew when I sang happy birthday--he ran and hid. That ended my trying. My parents could not sing either. People tell me to make a joyful noise to the Lord--they don't understand we are not all gifted the same way.

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4 replies
lioness | @lioness | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @woogie "I cannot sew, embroider, knit or paint. One thing which drives me crazy is: "I can't..." + (show)
@woogie

I cannot sew, embroider, knit or paint. One thing which drives me crazy is: "I can't carry a tune in a bucket"! I got kicked out of the church choir when I was around six. I really wanted to wear that robe and join the singing. I did. Then, I was asked to hang up my robe. In school, when we were supposed to sing the notes, the teacher cringed. He didn't want to even hear it! I scared my nephew when I sang happy birthday--he ran and hid. That ended my trying. My parents could not sing either. People tell me to make a joyful noise to the Lord--they don't understand we are not all gifted the same way.

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@woogie You are right we all are not gifted the same way gut you are before the Lord and He matters in your life . Maybe you can do something else good that you enjoy ,danceing or humming a beautiful song that makes you happy thats all that is needed . Don't put yourself down because you cant do things others can just enjoy them be happy to see them .

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kathy2020 | @kathy2020 | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @gingerw "@jocelynk Now may be a good time to get into a habit of taking care of..." + (show)
@gingerw

@jocelynk Now may be a good time to get into a habit of taking care of yourself when you need to calm down, or distract yourself. There are many tutorials on beginning crochet, as my neighbor told me, on Youtube. I am left-handed but crochet right-handed, and after almost 15 years still consider myself a beginner, content with easy/simple patterns that use very basic stitches! The repetition is calming to me.

I am glad you shared about your upcoming surgery. One thing you might consider, is journaling about it all, to move thoughts and concerns out of your mind, as they do the little hamster wheel thing of occupying your time. Here is a discussion thread about that, that you may find interesting. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/ Being able to write things down has helped me in my health challenges.

Please come back for more support!
Ginger

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please how can I quit this site

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golden418 | @golden418 | Feb 1, 2021

I second Kathy2020 request. This blog / site is about hearing related issues. It has gotten off track.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @golden418 "I second Kathy2020 request. This blog / site is about hearing related issues. It has gotten..." + (show)
@golden418

I second Kathy2020 request. This blog / site is about hearing related issues. It has gotten off track.

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@golden418 and @kathy2020, Discussions do sometimes get off track and it does hurt members who are looking for information relevant to the discussion. I look forward to things getting back to normal where I can go out and meet a friend for lunch or a cup of coffee. Until then one of the things that helps my quality of life is try and get some time outside to enjoy nature. On my bucket list for 2021 is to visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN - https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/. It raises my spirits when I see one sitting on the side of the road, soaring in the sky or sitting in a tall tree.

Hate to see you leave the discussion but this should help if you still want to stop notifications:
- How to Stop or Restart all Notifications: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#stop-restart-notifications
- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe from a Discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#subscribe-unsubscribe-discussion

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3 replies
nurseheadakes | @nurseheadakes | Feb 1, 2021

The Person who is suppose to be monitoring the HEARING LOSS group - has not been redirecting everyone to keeping to the subject. That is why the subject matter is not correct. If you want to get out of it...go to the Groups Menu and look for the Hearing loss category. Touch the arrow and unsubscribe from the conversation. Wait for around two weeks until this chattering is over and then come back if you want to join the Group. Perhaps we could start a new one and label it..."COVID & Hearing Loss"... and see if that will muster up some talking.... Eloise

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "@golden418 and @kathy2020, Discussions do sometimes get off track and it does hurt members who are..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@golden418 and @kathy2020, Discussions do sometimes get off track and it does hurt members who are looking for information relevant to the discussion. I look forward to things getting back to normal where I can go out and meet a friend for lunch or a cup of coffee. Until then one of the things that helps my quality of life is try and get some time outside to enjoy nature. On my bucket list for 2021 is to visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN - https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/. It raises my spirits when I see one sitting on the side of the road, soaring in the sky or sitting in a tall tree.

Hate to see you leave the discussion but this should help if you still want to stop notifications:
- How to Stop or Restart all Notifications: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#stop-restart-notifications
- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe from a Discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#subscribe-unsubscribe-discussion

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@johnbishop @nurseheadakes @golden418 @kathy2020 Often, a discussion thread is housed in several groups. For example, this comment on "Quality of Life", has been dropped in to the following main groups: Skin Health, Just Want to Talk, Neuropathy, Joint Replacements, Hearing Loss, Aging Well. The premise is to allow a greater number of members the opportunity to respond to a particular thread.

I hope this helps you understand a bit clearer.
Ginger

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joybringer1 | @joybringer1 | Feb 1, 2021
In reply to @jocelynk "I knit and crochet when I was young but lost interest after my stint with Hodgkins..." + (show)
@jocelynk

I knit and crochet when I was young but lost interest after my stint with Hodgkins when I was 24. Even used to sew quite a bit. Now that I found out I need a double mastectomy (June probably) was thinking if crocheting again but I’d need to relearn how to even start. I am stressing about my situation and think it will help focus my attention something else. Sounds like everyone enjoys having a hobby like this and you are quite good at it!

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You are in my thoughts. You have already faced so much. I will think of you in a special way in June. I used to crochet as well, but am not sure I could do it again. It did keep my hands busy and many relatives received not so attractive shawls for Christmas. I think just the doing helped my sanity a bit. I never did knit even after taking lessons. After a lesson I would go home and try to do more. At each class meeting, the instructor ripped out all I had done because I had dropped a stitch or something like that. I dropped the class along with plans to make a sweater. I do admire those who can knit. My sister is the one who can do crafts. She makes lovely cards. She used to do macrame, embroidery, and needlepoint. I was not good in my home ec class in junior high. I despised sewing on a machine and also the cooking part. I still remember having to wear my dress I had made (with lots of help from others) as all of us modeled. The grade I made in that class was a "C", the first ever for me. Ah well, I should have insisted on not taking the class and doing shop with the boys. Maybe I would have done better at that because later in life I took a woodworking class and made a dinner table. It served for many years. As we are trying to downsize, we knew getting rid of that would allow a bookcase from my mother to be in its place. We put the table by the mailbox on a Sunday and put a "Free" sign on it and it was gone when we left the house two hours later. Best wishes to you @joycelynk. @joybringer1

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Erika | @erikas | Feb 1, 2021

@gingerw Is right. This discussion is in a lot of different groups. You are frustrated that the topic isn't staying solely on hearing loss. Did I get that right?

@kathy2020 @golden418 @nurseheadakes It sounds like you may be looking for a discussion that is not in multiple groups as this one is. You are looking for something very specific to hearing loss.

We have an extremely active Hearing Loss group. I have linked the Hearing Loss group but you obviously already found that on your own. You may want to scroll through the other discussions and see if any are of interest to you. I can help if anyone needs help finding a more focused discussion. If we aren't able to find a discussion together, maybe a new discussion can be posted exclusively in the Hearing Loss group.
- Hearing Loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/

Are there any Hearing Loss only discussions I can research for you or any discussion topics you'd like to post?

P.S. @kathy2020 I see @johnbishop gave you instructions on how to unsubscribe etc. If you choose this option and need further instruction, I would be happy to help.

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